Solanum laxum 'Coldham'

RHS Plant Profile

potato vine 'Coldham'

RHS

Climber Wall Shrub Conservatory Greenhouse

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A scrambling, semi-evergreen climber with glossy, dark green leaves. In summer and autumn bears small clusters of fragrant, star-shaped flowers pale purple at first, ageing to white

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Solanaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Climbing
Genus: Solanum can be annuals, perennials, evergreen or deciduous shrubs or twining climbers, with simple or pinnnately lobed leaves and star- or bowl-shaped, 5-lobed flowers with prominent stamens, followed by fleshy fruits
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based compost in full light shaded from hot sun, or bright indirect light. Grow outdoors in moist but well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in full sun. Support plants and tie in regularly

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 12 after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse red spider mite under glass

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), tomato spotted wilt virus and grey moulds under glass